goal setting

This insight is inspired by a parent who recently caddied in the Symetra Tour event in Charlotte. He mentioned how much he learned by doing it and shared with his daughter. So lightbulb goes off as a great way for you as junior players to learn as well. I'm sure many of you have caddied for a pro in a tourney or caddied for a friend at one point or another. But ask yourself, how much did you take the time to really learn from that experience? Being a caddy is one of the best learning experiences for developing course management and Golf IQ, especially when it's a player that is more advanced and has more experience than you do. So ask a college or tour player if you can caddy for them during their practice time? Take the chance to ask questions about their decisions, [...]

Last week a new set of NCAA rules were announced but there have been several questions arise. I shared the rules that went into effect in regards to what the college coaches can/can't do. You can read that blog HERE. This week I want to address how these rules affect you as a prospective student-athlete (PSA): A PSA can still email, text, and leave a voicemail at any point prior to June 15th before junior year. A coach just cannot reply or answer the call, if so it can only be to say they can not respond or speak A PSA's coach/instructor cannot have communication with a college coach prior to June 15th before junior year that discusses anything specific to recruiting A verbal agreement should not have the opportunity to take place prior to June 15th before junior year because no recruiting conversations should have [...]

Refresher for the NCAA contact rules that went into place May of 2019 This is what came straight from an NCAA DI Compliance Department: Went into effect on May 1st, 2019: 📌 Before June 15th prior to a prospective student athlete's (PSA) junior year, coaches and athletic staff can no longer receive calls from freshmen/sophomore PSAs or their parents. They can speak with a PSA's swing or high school coach but they are not allowed to have recruiting specific conversations. 📌 Incoming and outgoing calls can only occur beginning June 15th prior to a PSA’s junior year of high school (rising junior). 📌 Recruiting materials can be sent by the coach on June 15th prior to a PSA’s junior year of high school (rising junior). Only camp info and general questionnaires may be sent to a PSA prior to this date. 📌 Emails/texts/DMs can be sent [...]

The sight of a college coach has been known to cause junior golfers to tighten up, try too hard, or even change their normal demeanor in hopes of pleasing the coach. It can be extremely nerve-wracking the first time that a coach comes to watch, but these nerves will most likely only harm the player's score. When a coach is there to watch, a player must be able to ignore the situation and concentrate on their next shot. Remember that it's a positive that a coach is there watching you. Would you rather them not be there? The player should continue to treat their tournament like normal and get in their process each time they approach their ball. If the round is not going as well as normal, remember that coaches like to see when you struggle because that allows them to see how you handle [...]

While it is true that college golf is played at longer yardages, a player does not have to be a "long ball hitter" in order to be successful. Does it help? Of course! But it is not necessary if you can learn to compensate with your short game, accuracy, mental game, and golf IQ.  Golf will always come down to who can shoot the lowest score. When making your college decision, it is important to consider that some coaches like a certain style of play. While the lineup is ultimately determined by the scoring average of the players, the coach is more likely to chose the player with the style of game they prefer if it comes to a close decision. This makes it easier for the coach to do their job on the course when a certain style of game fits their coaching philosophy. Do [...]

Even the best players in the nation face rejection when going through the recruiting process. There could be any number of reasons that a coach may not accept a player on their team. These reasons may have nothing to do with the player's game or personality. When a player faces rejection, it is essential that it is handled properly. Most importantly, a player should not take rejection personally and allow it to diminish their confidence on the golf course or beyond. Try to accept that the fit is not right and that it only takes one school to believe in you. Use the rejection to fuel your energy at practice/tournaments and strengthen the determination to find the right school Secondly, when a player is turned down by a coach they still have to be respectful. It will only harm the player to respond harshly to the [...]

Communication with coaches is so important during the recruiting process. Although coaches may not be able to respond to emails or call a player, it is still important for them to hear from the player on a regular basis. If you are not communicating with a coach, there is a possibility you are being left behind in the process. Coaches may respond to an email of interest and ask a player to keep them updated with their tournament schedule and results. This means that it is absolutely necessary to update a coach with upcoming tournaments and the ensuing results. This not only shows the coach your level of play with the scores you are shooting, but also shows them the willingness to listen to their requests and write a well thought out email. Also, sending them a schedule of your upcoming tournaments may give them a [...]

A very important step to remember is to email coaches with your upcoming schedule. Heading into the spring and summer months is a great time to get this done. Coaches have no way of knowing where you will be playing unless you tell them. So if you want them to come out and watch make sure you let them know where you are going to be. Don't wait until the end of summer to send them your results, make the opportunity available for them to come out and watch you play. For 2020 recruits, coaches are able to reply to your emails so it's a great idea to ask them where they plan to be this summer or if they plan to recruit at any specific tournaments. This way you can try to play in tournaments that you know they plan to attend so you have [...]